Plan Your Trip

Tips to help you maximize your visit.

Where do I stay? - Rowe Sanctuary is approximately 20 miles from the city of Kearney and you can easily make it to our office in 20 - 25 minutes via Interstate 80. Kearney has a good selection of hotels/motels and we recommend the following:

The Kearney Visitors Bureau has additional listings for lodging and restaurants. Kearney can be a very busy community during March with various activities, so make sure to reserve your lodging as soon as possible. If lodging is unavailable in Kearney for the time in which you would like to visit, check with the cities of Grand Island, Hastings, and Minden for availability.

When do I want to be there? - Depending on what you are hoping to see will determine when the best time is to visit. The largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes occurs within the last two weeks of March and this is also when we have the largest number of crane watchers. Early March brings more of a mix of waterfowl and cranes on the river, along with Bald Eagles which tend to follow the waterfowl migration. Early April is often overlooked, but this time period can often provide some of the best viewing as the birds are fat and happy and it's often apparent in their behavior. Early to mid April is also the best time to try and catch a glimpse of Whooping Cranes as they migrate through the state and is also the peak time for prairie chicken/grouse activity on their booming grounds or leks. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, especially when it comes to the timing of your trip.

What do I bring? - The most important thing is to make sure that you have enough warm clothing. March can be rather mild in Nebraska, but it can get very cold too. So bring clothing that you can layer and if you get too warm, you can always shed a layer. Another important thing, but not absolutely necessary, would be binoculars. You will have a great time regardless, but having optics of some type will add to the experience. For more on what to bring, see our General Crane Tours page.

What else can I see while I'm there? - In terms of wildlife viewing, Prairie Chickens displaying on their leks is the next most sought after experience during late March and April. Calamus Outfitters near Burwell provide viewing opportunities for both Prairie Chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Area attractions include Cabela's and The Archway.